FAQs

Where is the project located?

The I-80 reconstruction project includes approximately 16 miles of the interstate, including 30 bridges, and begins near Ridge Road to the west and ends at U.S. 30 to the east. The corridor encompasses three counties (Kendall, Grundy and Will), and passes through six municipalities (Minooka, Channahon, Shorewood, Rockdale, Joliet and New Lenox). The road crosses four waterways (DuPage River, Rock Run Creek, Des Plaines River, and Hickory Creek), and includes eight interchanges.

 

Why is this project needed?

As one of the country's three coast-to-coast interstates, I-80 through Joliet and Will County carries approximately 80,000 vehicles a day, about 25 percent of which are trucks. The corridor consists of outdated design and capacity constraints and is not equipped to serve the growing communities and increased freight traffic along the interstate. Heavy congestion as well as frequent merging and weaving are common on this stretch of I-80, leading to high crash rates and significant traffic delays. In addition, 30 bridges along the corridor are in need of full reconstruction. The I-80 Will project will transform the stretch of I-80 between Minooka and New Lenox into a modern, safe roadway with reconstructed roads, reconfigured interchanges, and rehabilitated bridges.

 

How will this project improve my commute?

In order to transform this stretch of I-80 into a modern, safe roadway, the Illinois Department of Transportation coordinated extensively with local municipalities and the public to develop a reconstruction plan that meets the needs of the communities I-80 serves. The project includes reconstruction of 16 miles of I-80, including rehabilitating 30 bridges and reconfiguring interchanges.

 

Those and other improvements will combine to reduce congestion, strengthen safety, deliver new economic opportunity, and improve travel for all who use the corridor.

 

Who is responsible for this project?

The Illinois Department of Transportation, in coordination with the Federal Highway Administration, is the lead agency for the I-80 reconstruction project. 

 

The widening of Houbolt Road in Joliet and related reconfiguration of the I-80 interchange is the result of a unique public-private partnership between IDOT, the City of Joliet and CenterPoint Properties.

 

How much does this project cost? Who is funding it?

Full reconstruction of the project corridor is estimated at approximately $1.3 billion. The project is funded with a combination of federal and state investment, including funds allocated through the Rebuild Illinois capital program.

 

Was the public consulted for this project?

The Illinois Department of Transportation conducted a robust multi-year outreach program that included multiple public meetings and hearings, while coordinating with local municipalities and the public at every decision point along the way to develop a reconstruction plan that meets the needs of the communities I-80 serves. 

 

When will the project begin? How long will it take to complete?

Construction is underway and is anticipated to be substantially completed with all lanes open on I-80 in late 2028. Please visit the Schedule page for more detailed project timeline information. 

 

How will traffic be impacted during construction?

Construction will occur in stages and IDOT is committed to minimizing traffic impacts whenever possible. To stay on top of the latest construction news and be alerted to potential traffic impacts, please visit the Contact Page to sign-up for project alerts.

 

Will noise walls be installed near residential areas?

During the environmental studies for the I-80 corridor, traffic noise was evaluated for the proposed roadway improvements to determine noise impacts to adjacent properties. Existing noise levels were gathered and compared to forecasted noise levels.

 

Once a noise impact was determined, the feasibility and reasonableness of noise abatement was analyzed. At the time the noise study was completed, the following criteria was required for a noise barrier to be recommended as feasible and reasonable: 

• Achieve an appreciable noise level reduction of at least five (5) decibels

• Be economically reasonable

• Be constructable

• Be accepted by a majority of those who will benefit from the noise wall 

 

For additional information, click the following links for traffic noise, regulations and policy, noise analyses, or  noise abatement ..If you would like more information about the noise studies conducted at a specific location, please contact our project staff.

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View map of noise abatement wall locations.

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What about vibration impacts during construction?

Vibration during construction activities will be monitored closely, including impacts from pile driving, blasting and pavement breaking. If necessary, the Department will implement measures to reduce construction vibration, such as changing the location of construction activities and hours of vibration operations or using alternative construction methods.

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Will any residential or commercial businesses be displaced?

The improvement is anticipated to require land acquisition from approximately 125 parcels including fee simple acquisition, temporary easements, and permanent easements. This includes up to 72 occupied residential properties, resulting in up to 75 relocations. All residential relocations are in the City of Joliet in the area from just west of Center Street to Gardner Street. One commercial building will be impacted. Contact information for the land acquisition office is below.

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Bureau of Land Acquisition Joliet Field Office

116 N. Chicago St., Suite 206

Joliet, IL 60432

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DOT.D1.I-80Inquiry@Illinois.gov

 

When will the Department buy my property?

The Department completed the environmental processes at the end of 2022. The completion of the environmental processing allows the Department to begin the next phase of the project which includes land acquisition. The typical duration of the acquisition and relocation process is between 18 and 36 months. The Department follows the federal rules and regulations ofthe Uniform Relocation Assistance and Real Property Acquisition Policies Act of 1970, as amended, 42 U.S.C. 4601-4655 (referred to as the “Uniform Act”) regarding land acquisition and relocation. Any home to be acquired will undergo an appraisal by an independent certified appraiser. An offer will be presented to the property owner based on fair market value. The Department will work with you to assist in finding comparable housing. Contact information for the land acquisition office is below.

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Bureau of Land Acquisition Joliet Field Office

116 N. Chicago St., Suite 206

Joliet, IL 60432

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DOT.D1.I-80Inquiry@Illinois.gov

 

May I voluntarily sell my property to the Department?

The Department’s policy regarding land acquisition is based on Federal and State laws which require the Department acquire the minimum amount of property necessary to construct and maintain the improvement.  Illinois State law and the Department’s Land Acquisition Policies and Procedures Manual provide that single family residences, situated ten feet or less from the proposed right-of-way line of a highway at a new location, can request to be relocated by the project. The Department has identified and coordinated directly with those property owners identified to qualify for voluntary acquisition. Contact information for the land acquisition office is below.

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Bureau of Land Acquisition Joliet Field Office

116 N. Chicago St., Suite 206

Joliet, IL 60432

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DOT.D1.I-80Inquiry@Illinois.gov

 

What are my rights as a property owner?

Once the Department makes a final determination that it is necessary to purchase private property, the guidelines of the Uniform Act along with State regulations will be followed. The Department will treat property owners fairly and seek cooperative settlements for property acquisitions.You may read about your rights under applicable federal laws here:

• https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/uniform_act/acquisition/real_property.cfm

• http://www.fhwa.dot.gov/real_estate/publications/your_rights/rights2014.pdf

 

Contact information for the land acquisition office is below.

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Bureau of Land Acquisition Joliet Field Office

116 N. Chicago St., Suite 206

Joliet, IL 60432

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DOT.D1.I-80Inquiry@Illinois.gov

 

What if I am a renter and do not own the property? Am I entitled to benefits?

Tenants whose rental housing must be acquired because of the I-80 project are also protected under the Uniform Act. Tenants occupying a home at the time of acquisition may be eligible for relocation benefits. Contact information for the land acquisition office is below.

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Bureau of Land Acquisition Joliet Field Office

116 N. Chicago St., Suite 206

Joliet, IL 60432

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DOT.D1.I-80Inquiry@Illinois.gov